Beginning Beginner

[Cogent]

Hello all! Thank you for this great resource for everyone.

I'd like to start out by saying that I am totally new to turtles or reptiles in general - I've never had one. The only pet I have is a dog, who isn't big so that'll lessen the amount of tension between the two.

I was looking at several posts on the forum - where to buy, and other things of the sort. I've found a website that I think most people have a good history with - tortoisesupply.com

I was looking around and found that the Baby Sulcata tortoises looked cute (and the cheapest, sorry future friend!). I don't have a job as of yet (I'm still a teen, I can start working next year), so I'm kinda limited on the amount of funds I can put into the little guy.

But I have a few questions I'd like to be answered before I go any further.

- 1) I live in the desert (Las Vegas to be exact) and don't live in a house with a backyard. Would I be able to keep him/her inside the entire year? I have a patio but I don't believe it has a power outlet. I've read that they are cold-blooded, meaning they can't provide their own heat like us humans do, so a light is a must, correct?

- 2) What's the best, low budget tank or pen I can purchase for them? The Sulcata tortoise's page on tortoisesupply says they can reach a length of up to about 2 feet. How big of a tank or home for him would I have to purchase? If you recall from the above part I am on a fixed budget so I can't afford to spend that much (I would be willing to save up more, just a matter of time.)

- 3) What would I have to feed him or her? I've read that most turtles are vegetarians, so definitely lots of veggies and fruit. Would I have to add certain pills (vitamin pills like some of us humans take) to his food to ensure he gets the right amount of vitamins? How often would I have to feed him or her? I read that you feed them more when they are babies, but less sparsely when they are adults.

- 4) Hibernation. I also read somewhere online that some turtle's do and some turtles do not have to. Since I would be keeping my turtle mostly inside, would they still have to hibernate? At what age would they start hibernating, and for how long? Is it like other animals where they have to hibernate all winter and fall? The temperature in my house never (hopefully) drops below 70*F and above 80*F.

- 5) How would I go about setting up the lighting in the cage? Since they're cold blooded would I have to make sure they get the required amount of time in the hot light? Is the UV light the same as the sun for us? Should these be close together in the tank?

Thank you for any help I receive. Really appreciated. And apologies if I asked any uber obvious questions - I'm still quite new to this.


Thanks!

Cogent

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Yes, Tyler from tortoise supply is a member here and a stand up guy to deal with. Also, below in my post is another stand up guys great threads on raising a heathy and smooth sulcata, please read them.

 

[Cogent]

Hello and Welcome. Yes, Tyler from tortoise supply is a member here and a stand up guy to deal with. Also, below in my post is another stand up guys great threads on raising a heathy and smooth sulcata, please read them.

Awesome. Read over those and they are really helpful.

But what does soaking do for the little guy? Would I still be fine if I don't let them out as much, since I don't have a yard?

Thanks for the help,

Cogent

 

[wellington]

Soaking also,helps to keep them hydrated. If you can, set up a small enclosure that can be put out on the deck if you have one. Just be sure there is plenty of shade too. They can over heat very quickly. After some sun time, give a soak, that way you know he didn't get too dehydrated while sunning.

 

[Cogent]

Soaking also,helps to keep them hydrated. If you can, set up a small enclosure that can be put out on the deck if you have one. Just be sure there is plenty of shade too. They can over heat very quickly. After some sun time, give a soak, that way you know he didn't get too dehydrated while sunning.

I see, thanks. What's a good seller for a tank? I can't really find a decent one that would fit him or her that's near my budget.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Rocky08]

Instead of buying a large, expensive fish tank, you could construct a tort table and a clear lid for it to help keep in humidity. This is much less expensive, (just the cost of a few sheets of plywood and some plexi glass or plastic wrap) very simple to build, and you can make it any size or shape you desire. (Tanks tend to be too small and cost way more $$$ for something a sulcata will grow out of.
Tom has some excellent examples of constructed enclosures with fancy sliding doors, but yours can be much simpler if you want
If you're really uncomfortable building anything, the Zoo Med tortoise house is a nice (but temporary, and rather pricey) starter enclosure

 

[Cogent]

Instead of buying a large, expensive fish tank, you could construct a tort table and a clear lid for it to help keep in humidity. This is much less expensive, (just the cost of a few sheets of plywood and some plexi glass or plastic wrap) very simple to build, and you can make it any size or shape you desire. (Tanks tend to be too small and cost way more $$$ for something a sulcata will grow out of.
Tom has some excellent examples of constructed enclosures with fancy sliding doors, but yours can be much simpler if you want
If you're really uncomfortable building anything, the Zoo Med tortoise house is a nice (but temporary, and rather pricey) starter enclosure

I don't think I would have the guts to build a place for the little guy. But with the Zoo Med house, how would the lights go? Would I have to buy them seperately and attach them somehow? How long do you think he/she would be able to live in there?

Thanks for your response!

 

[sibi]

Cogent, I welcome you to the forum. Here is where you will really know what you have gotten yourself into with a sulcata. Do you know that they grow so big that you'll need to house them outside 24/7 eventually? Do you know that they are the third largest tortoize in the world? Since they do not hibernate, they will require a lot of heat all winter to maintain 80 degree temps constantly.
Do you know that it would requjire resources($$$) to adequately take good care of this animal?

I'm not trying to scare you, but i see so many people, especially teens, buy baby sulcatas because they are so cute and cheap, only to end up selling them, or giving it away because they can no longer take care of them. They cost too much to feed and take care of, they grow too fast, they live for 100 years, and it's time to go to college where you can no longer keep him. Have you really thought this out?

Oh yes, in the beginning, babies are easy to house, feed, and keep warm. But in a couple of years, it's a very different story. If you know all this and are still willing to have this animal as a forever pet, then you'll get all the help you need here.

 

[Rocky08]

And sulcatas grow like monsters. A smaller enclosure like a Closed chamber or Zoo Med box would only last a year, maybe a little longer if it's a slower grower, but after two years your sulcata would need to be in a larger outdoor pen 24/7.
Yes you would need to buy a heat lamp and a uv light if your tort is not exposed to natural sunlight at least ages hours a day, and a CHE to keep temps up at night.

 

[Cogent]

Cogent, I welcome you to the forum. Here is where you will really know what you have gotten yourself into with a sulcata. Do you know that they grow so big that you'll need to house them outside 24/7 eventually? Do you know that they are the third largest tortoize in the world? Since they do not hibernate, they will require a lot of heat all winter to maintain 80 degree temps constantly.
Do you know that it would requjire resources($$$) to adequately take good care of this animal?

I'm not trying to scare you, but i see so many people, especially teens, buy baby sulcatas because they are so cute and cheap, only to end up selling them, or giving it away because they can no longer take care of them. They cost too much to feed and take care of, they grow too fast, they live for 100 years, and it's time to go to college where you can no longer keep him. Have you really thought this out?

Oh yes, in the beginning, babies are easy to house, feed, and keep warm. But in a couple of years, it's a very different story. If you know all this and are still willing to have this animal as a forever pet, then you'll get all the help you need here.

Gosh darnit, you! Haha. But I think I want to go through with purchasing a tortoise. I'm having second thoughts on the whole Sulcata tortoise as you described them and how big they get. I'd want to bring him or her when I go to college (whether that living in a dorm, which I doubt, or living in an apartment). I know it's sort of out of this section of the forum's jurisdiction, but what about the Ibera Greek tortoises? They're considerably smaller and more than likely easier to maintain at a smaller size. Thank you everyone so far for all of the help.

 

[Kirin]

Just to set up a proper house for my leopard, ran me $400. He will be 1 year on the 13th and now he is ready for a bigger home. More money. I also have a 12lb sulcata that I feed twice a day and he grazes on the grass the rest of the day. I love my leopard and sulcata but they can be expensive. The sulcata can get up to 200 lbs and some get big fast. They live 100 or so years. If you really want a tortoise read up on this forum to learn as much as you can and to pick the best tortoise that fits you. I learn all the time on here, l love it. Learn before you buy.

 

[Saleama]

There is simply no way you can house a Sulcata in a tank or table once s/he gets growing good. They start cheap and quickly become monster cash sinks! The first few months I had my babies I spent about $20 a month to feed them. It was summer in Texas and not much grows outside for them to eat. I now spend about $20 a week and that is with supplementing 60% of their diet with hay I cut from a field by my work. If you really want a turtle or tortoise, I would recommend that you start with a little guy that will not grow that big. That way, if you do happen to lose interest or not be able to care for him, you will be able to find someone to take care of him for you easier. look for a russian tort or a box turtle. Box turtles can develope awesome personalities, they are more temperature tolerant than sullys and they are way cheaper to maintain. You can realistically keep an adult boxie in a table or tank that a sully would outgrow in less than a year.

Other options that might work for you are some of the smaller water turtles. Painted turtles or musk turtles stay really little.

I understand the alure of the sulcata. I have 5 of them. They are cheap and they get huge and that is way cool. But with the big tort comes big expense so really think it over.

Welcome and best of luck! Keep us posted on what you decide!

 

[Kameo37]

Hmm, I don't think most dorms allow animals...allergies, fire hazards, etc. Maybe it's just the one I went to?
I'd say, whatever you decide, make sure your parents are willing to take care of it while you are at school. My two cents...

 

[jaizei]

Welcome to the forum.

What's the rush? Why not wait a few years when you will have more resources and your own space to get whichever species you really want?

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Everyone is giving you good considerations to think about. I just simply want to say to you Cogent, that I think it is awesome that you are reading and researching and asking questions so you can make an informed decision. That you are a teen doing this, is great and makes old people like me all happy and giddy to know it. You rock! I'm stoked. Carry on! : )